LeBron James has disclosed the often-ignored factor contributing to his exceptional fitness as he celebrates turning 41 years old.
Since joining the NBA in 2003, the acclaimed basketball player has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers.
Throughout his career, James has secured four NBA championships and four Finals MVP titles. Remarkably, he achieved the distinction of earning Finals MVP with three different teams. Additionally, he has received the league MVP award four times.
While many basketball players typically retire in their mid-to-late 30s, James continues to excel as he marks his 41st birthday today (December 30).
In his most recent performance, which took place on Sunday (December 28), both James and Luka Dončić led the Lakers to a commanding 125-101 victory over the Sacramento Kings at home.
Dončić delivered an outstanding performance with 34 points, seven assists, and five rebounds, while James contributed 24 points on an impressive 11-of-13 shooting, as detailed by ESPN.
Despite speculation that LeBron might retire after this season, his remarkable longevity in the game is undeniable.
In the Netflix documentary series Starting Five, released last year, James shared insights into how he maintains his physical condition.
Although he employs advanced technologies for recovery as part of his rigorous training regimen, there is one factor that might be even more crucial.
According to the Olympics, James uses hyperbaric and red light chambers alongside cryotherapy to aid his body’s recovery.
The athlete also relies on hot and cold therapies, such as hot tubs and cold plunge baths.
However, the often-neglected habit that plays a vital role in his routine is sleep.
“We tried it all in 20 years. But the most important thing is what he gets for free, and that’s sleep,” explained James’ personal trainer, Mike Mancias, in the Netflix documentary.
James concurred, stating: “Sleep is the best recovery that you can have.
“It’s basically equivalent to you putting your phone on a charger when you go to bed. Am I able to do it every single night? Of course not.
“But if you try to get the most sleep that you can get, that is the only way you’re gonna get back to 100 per cent.”
In fact, sleep holds such importance that a nap is part of his pre-game routine, with the hours from 12 pm to 2 pm reserved strictly for rest.
Mancias also emphasized the necessity of taking days off for recovery.
“Off days are vital. You have an off day, which means you can rest so you’re not on the court pounding. And off days, it gives us an opportunity to work on the body,” he further explained.
This ‘work’ might encompass massages, stretching, and using compression boots to enhance blood circulation.
The approach of prioritizing sleep and rest has evidently been effective for James.
In 2023, he made history by becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He continues to break records for endurance and performance, becoming the first player to achieve 50,000 combined regular-season and playoff points.
So, the next time you doubt the productivity of rest, remember the example set by LeBron James.